Mike Yardy's 28-year career with Sussex is over.

The batting and second X1 coach is moving to Australia at the end of the month to become the batting coach of state side New South Wales Blues.

It brings to an end the ex-captain's journey with the county that began at the age of ten and included three County Championship triumphs.

Yardy, 38, has been Sussex's batting coach since February 2017, a role he has combined with second X1 coach since the start of last season. He has also been batting coach of England Young Lions.

Yardy (pictured below by Sussex Cricket) said: “I would like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to coach at Sussex, a place which will always be very special to me and my family and which is in deeply ingrained within me.

The Argus:

"I'm immensely proud to have played a part in the emergence of a number of young batsmen, from players being called up to England to seeing talented young lads start their journey with debuts and achieving landmarks across all formats.

"In time and with hard work these players will become the core of a very successful batting line up for the club in future years.

"Alongside my role at Sussex, I have immensely enjoyed my work with England Young Lions as batting coach. I leave both roles knowing the players I’ve worked with are in a good place to continue to progress.

"Now I am excited about and looking forward to the opportunity to work at New South Wales, which is an outstanding organisation. It was an opportunity I couldn't afford to let pass by."

Yardy's coaching career followed a 24-year playing association with Sussex that concluded when he retired at the end of the 2015 season.

He scored more than 10,000 runs in 187 first-class matches. Skipper from 2009-12, he was part of the teams that won the County Championship in 2003, 2006 and 2007, the C&G Trophy in 2006, the Pro40 League in 2008 and 2009 and the Twenty20 Cup in 2009.

He also played 28 ODIs and 14 IT20s for England and was part of the side that won the 2010 ICC World T20.

Keith Greenfield, Sussex's director of cricket, said: "Yards has been a hugely important and committed part of Sussex's journey for the best part of three decades in his roles as player, captain and latterly as coach.

"We wish him well with his new opportunity in Australia as he strives to become the best coach possible and, one day, a head coach. We're delighted at Sussex to have helped him on his way to those goals.”